A backgammon board you roll up is equipment. A backgammon table is furniture. It stands in the room, ready for the next game of nardi, and it holds its own as decor whether or not the dice are moving. In Armenia — where backgammon is played in every courtyard and every home — these tables are hand-built from solid wood by master carvers, made to be used daily and passed down for generations. This guide covers what makes an Armenian backgammon table special, how the designs differ, and how to choose the right one for your space.
More Than a Board — Why a Backgammon Table?
There are three reasons to choose a table over a portable board:
- It is always ready. No case, no unrolling — the game lives on the table and invites you to sit down and throw the dice.
- It is a piece of decor. A carved table earns its place in a room the way a fine cabinet or a sculpture does, even between games.
- It is an heirloom. Built from solid wood and made for daily play, a well-made backgammon table is something you hand down, not replace.
Hand-Carved in Armenia, Built to Last
What sets these tables apart is how they are made. Each is carved from solid wood, with the playing surface and border worked by hand rather than printed. The finest come from National Master carver Hrachya Ohanyan, and their designs carry real meaning: the Armenian eternity sign, the national coat of arms, and traditional carpet patterns that echo centuries of Armenian weaving. This is a game board that also tells a story.
A backgammon table is where the dice never really stop — the game waits for you, not the other way around.
Choosing Your Design
Armenia's backgammon tables come in a handful of distinct styles. Here is how they compare:
| Design | Signature look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Armenian Coat of Arms | The national emblem carved into the board | A patriotic showpiece |
| Lori Carpet | A traditional Armenian carpet pattern | Warmth and heritage |
| Eternity (60 cm) | The Armenian eternity symbol, carved full-size | A meaningful centerpiece |
| Eternity Sign | A bold eternity motif on a compact frame | Symbolic everyday play |
Table, or Portable Board?
A table is a commitment — a permanent fixture and a piece of furniture. If you want the game to travel with you, or you are buying a first set, a handmade backgammon board is the better fit, and our guide on how to play Armenian backgammon is the perfect place to start. But if backgammon is a fixture of your home and you want it always ready, a table is worth every bit of the extra space it asks for.
Size & Space
Most Armenian backgammon tables are built around a 60 cm (about 24 inch) playing surface — generous enough for a satisfying game and substantial enough to anchor a room. Before you order:
- Measure the room. Leave space to pull up two chairs and move around the table comfortably.
- Think about seating. These are sit-down tables built for real games, not just display.
- Mind the dice. A solid wooden surface gives the zar that satisfying crack — half the fun of nardi.
An Investment Piece
A backgammon table is a considered purchase, and the range reflects it — from accessible carved tables to the flagship Armenian Coat of Arms table at the top of the collection. What you are buying is not just a place to play but a hand-carved, solid-wood object built to outlast trends. Browse the full range in our Backgammon Tables collection, or complete the games room by pairing it with a matching Armenian chess table.
Final Word
A backgammon table is where the game stops being something you take out and becomes something you live with. Hand-carved in Armenia from solid wood, built for daily play and made to be handed down, it turns every roll of the dice into an occasion and every room into a little more of a home.